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The Unintentional Adventures of Kia and Agatha
The Occasional Diamond Thief
On his deathbed, Kia's father discloses a secret to her alone: a magnificent diamond he has been hiding for years. Fearing he stole it, she too keeps it secret. She learns it comes from the distant colonized planet of Malem, where her father caught the illness that eventually killed him. Now she is even more convinced he stole it, as it is illegal for any off-worlder to possess a Malemese diamond.
When 16-yr-old Kia is training to be a translator, she is co-opted by a series of events into travelling as a translator to Malem. Using her skill in languages and another skill she picked up after her father s death, the skill of picking locks - she unravels the secret of the mysterious gem and learns what she must do to set things right: return the diamond to its original owner. But how will she find out who that is when no one can know that she, an off-worlder, has a Malemese diamond?
"Tense, thrilling, edge-of-the-seat reading--I tore through this! Kia and Agatha are a fascinating pair, Kia so practical, down-to-earth, and wilful; Agatha so mystical and driven. More, please!"
~ Tamora Pierce
"J. A. McLachlan is a terrific writer -- wry and witty, with a keen eye for detail. I've been following her work with interest and delight since 2003. In a world where young-adult fiction is booming, The Occasional Diamond Thief propels McLachlan to the front of the pack." ~ Robert J. Sawyer
When 16-yr-old Kia is training to be a translator, she is co-opted by a series of events into travelling as a translator to Malem. Using her skill in languages and another skill she picked up after her father s death, the skill of picking locks - she unravels the secret of the mysterious gem and learns what she must do to set things right: return the diamond to its original owner. But how will she find out who that is when no one can know that she, an off-worlder, has a Malemese diamond?
"Tense, thrilling, edge-of-the-seat reading--I tore through this! Kia and Agatha are a fascinating pair, Kia so practical, down-to-earth, and wilful; Agatha so mystical and driven. More, please!"
~ Tamora Pierce
"J. A. McLachlan is a terrific writer -- wry and witty, with a keen eye for detail. I've been following her work with interest and delight since 2003. In a world where young-adult fiction is booming, The Occasional Diamond Thief propels McLachlan to the front of the pack." ~ Robert J. Sawyer
250 pages, Paperback
First published December 2, 2014
7 people are currently reading
490 people want to read
About the author
J.A. McLachlan
9 books72 followersJ. A. McLachlan (also known as Jane Ann McLachlan) is a multi-genre Canadian author. She has ten published books: Three Historical Fiction novels, The Lode Stone; The Sorrow Stone; and The Girl Who Would Be Queen; IMPACT: A Memoir of PTSD; a short story collection, CONNECTIONS (Pandora Press); two College texts on Professional Ethics (Pearson-Prentice Hall); a science fiction novel, Walls of Wind (self-published); and two young adult fiction novels, The Occasional Diamond Thief and The Salarian Desert Game (EDGE SF&F Publishing).
Visit her website to learn more and read excerpts from her books: http://www.janeannmclachlan.com
Praise for Walls of Wind:
"Look out, C. J. Cherryh! Step aside, Hal Clement! There's a new master of truly alien SF, and her name is J. A. McLachlan. THE WALLS OF WIND is doubtless THE debut novel of the year."
~ Robert J. Sawyer, Hugo Award-winning science fiction author
Tamora Pierce read Occasional Diamond Thief and The Salarian Desert Game and said:
"Tense, thrilling, edge-of-the-seat reading--I tore through this! Kia and Agatha are a fascinating pair, Kia so practical, down-to-earth, and wilful; Agatha so mystical and driven. More, please!"
~ Tamora Pierce
Visit her website to learn more and read excerpts from her books: http://www.janeannmclachlan.com
Praise for Walls of Wind:
"Look out, C. J. Cherryh! Step aside, Hal Clement! There's a new master of truly alien SF, and her name is J. A. McLachlan. THE WALLS OF WIND is doubtless THE debut novel of the year."
~ Robert J. Sawyer, Hugo Award-winning science fiction author
Tamora Pierce read Occasional Diamond Thief and The Salarian Desert Game and said:
"Tense, thrilling, edge-of-the-seat reading--I tore through this! Kia and Agatha are a fascinating pair, Kia so practical, down-to-earth, and wilful; Agatha so mystical and driven. More, please!"
~ Tamora Pierce
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July 26, 2021
You can also find my review of The Occasional Diamong Thief on my science fiction and fantasy book blog.
The \ Occasional / Diamond Thief is a YA adventure scifi novel.
Our heroine, Kia Ugiagbe, is the 15-year-old daughter of a fairly unsuccessful trader. Her father has been sickly as long as she can remember, suffering episodes of fever and weakness ever since he'd travelled to a faraway frontier planet, Malemese. He never talked about what happened there, but it has left its mark on him.
On his deathbed, Kia is the only one he can talk to any more, because she's the only one to have learnt the Malemese language. Malemese is the language he falls into when suffering fever hallucinations. In his final moments, he reveals a secret he has kept all those years: hidden at the back of a drawer, there is a little bag containing a huge diamond which could only have come from Malemese. Her father, she realises, must have stolen it.
Soon after his death, Kia gains independence from her abusive mother (and her aloof siblings) by means of stealing jewellery and using the proceeds to fund a place at a school for translators. However, her brief career in thieving is just the start of her adventures...
Fast paced, fun, and tense, The Occasional Diamond Thief is a brilliantly absorbing novel. Kia is easy to root for: she's hard-working, not brilliant at everything she does (especially her people skills are a subject she struggles with), but dedicated to her work. At times, she reminded me of Pat Rothfuss's Kvothe: all her skills are hard-earned, but unlike Kvothe, she isn't magically gifted at everything. She has a sense of humour and just the right amount of cheek: enough to put a twinkle in the reader's eye, not so much that she becomes annoying. She stumbles into her adventures, and though some are forced upon her, the story never loses the main thread of Kia's desire to understand more about her father, and the man he was before the sickness that would ultimately destroy him.
It's not a flawless novel - the mother is a bit too simplistically drawn as a character, and some of the scene changes are disorienting - but it's one of the best YA novels I've read. Better by far than Hunger Games, and on a par with Ian McDonald's Planesrunner series.
Highly recommended!
The \ Occasional / Diamond Thief is a YA adventure scifi novel.
Our heroine, Kia Ugiagbe, is the 15-year-old daughter of a fairly unsuccessful trader. Her father has been sickly as long as she can remember, suffering episodes of fever and weakness ever since he'd travelled to a faraway frontier planet, Malemese. He never talked about what happened there, but it has left its mark on him.
On his deathbed, Kia is the only one he can talk to any more, because she's the only one to have learnt the Malemese language. Malemese is the language he falls into when suffering fever hallucinations. In his final moments, he reveals a secret he has kept all those years: hidden at the back of a drawer, there is a little bag containing a huge diamond which could only have come from Malemese. Her father, she realises, must have stolen it.
Soon after his death, Kia gains independence from her abusive mother (and her aloof siblings) by means of stealing jewellery and using the proceeds to fund a place at a school for translators. However, her brief career in thieving is just the start of her adventures...
Fast paced, fun, and tense, The Occasional Diamond Thief is a brilliantly absorbing novel. Kia is easy to root for: she's hard-working, not brilliant at everything she does (especially her people skills are a subject she struggles with), but dedicated to her work. At times, she reminded me of Pat Rothfuss's Kvothe: all her skills are hard-earned, but unlike Kvothe, she isn't magically gifted at everything. She has a sense of humour and just the right amount of cheek: enough to put a twinkle in the reader's eye, not so much that she becomes annoying. She stumbles into her adventures, and though some are forced upon her, the story never loses the main thread of Kia's desire to understand more about her father, and the man he was before the sickness that would ultimately destroy him.
It's not a flawless novel - the mother is a bit too simplistically drawn as a character, and some of the scene changes are disorienting - but it's one of the best YA novels I've read. Better by far than Hunger Games, and on a par with Ian McDonald's Planesrunner series.
Highly recommended!
December 4, 2014
The Occasional Diamond Thief is a fabulous adventure, but it also offers thoughts and feels for readers of all ages.
In The Occasional Diamond Thief, McLachlan’s protagonist, Kia, learns the truth about herself by learning the truth about others.
Kia is the youngest of three children. Her father, a space ship’s captain and merchant, returns from a trip to another planet with the illness that eventually kills him. He is secretive and haunted, but Kia wants his love and approval.
She believes her facility with languages will accomplish this and so learns the difficult Malemese. Unfortunately, hearing the language worsens her father’s condition.
Kia is also at odds with her mother, who is strictly religious and seems to resent Kia’s connection to her husband through the language of Malem. In an attempt to protect both spouse and child, Kia’s mother forbids the speaking of Malemese in the house.
When her father dies, Kia is with him, and he commends to her an incredible diamond. Determined to solve the mystery of the gem, but escape her mother’s oppressive grief, Kia applies to become a translator. Independence is a challenge, and Kia must turn to thievery to support her life as a student.
She gets caught, and as a consequence is sent to Malem as a language teacher for the Select who assisted her in the theft. Once there, Kia must solve the mystery of the diamond, risking her life and that of the Select, uncovering a conspiracy that has its roots in the highest levels of Malemese society.
Kia believes her mother harsh, but learns that she was only trying to protect the ones she loved. Kia believes her father is a thief, but learns that it was his compassion that placed the diamond in his custody. Kia believes the Select and her order, the O.U.B. are attempting to manipulate her, but discovers that they are only trying to make it possible for Kia to right old wrongs. Kia believes the Malemese people to be cold and barbaric, but experiences their capacity to love first hand and fights to free them from a fearful legacy.
McLachlan has created a simple, but compelling universe that doesn’t strain credibility and serves as the perfect backdrop for Kia’s journey. She even weaves in a sweet love interest that proves to have his own secrets. Woven into the overall plot are mystery and thriller elements that will keep readers turning pages.
McLachlan’s novel is reminiscent of Madeline L’engle and Ursula K. LeGuin’s young adult fiction.
My highest recommendation.
In The Occasional Diamond Thief, McLachlan’s protagonist, Kia, learns the truth about herself by learning the truth about others.
Kia is the youngest of three children. Her father, a space ship’s captain and merchant, returns from a trip to another planet with the illness that eventually kills him. He is secretive and haunted, but Kia wants his love and approval.
She believes her facility with languages will accomplish this and so learns the difficult Malemese. Unfortunately, hearing the language worsens her father’s condition.
Kia is also at odds with her mother, who is strictly religious and seems to resent Kia’s connection to her husband through the language of Malem. In an attempt to protect both spouse and child, Kia’s mother forbids the speaking of Malemese in the house.
When her father dies, Kia is with him, and he commends to her an incredible diamond. Determined to solve the mystery of the gem, but escape her mother’s oppressive grief, Kia applies to become a translator. Independence is a challenge, and Kia must turn to thievery to support her life as a student.
She gets caught, and as a consequence is sent to Malem as a language teacher for the Select who assisted her in the theft. Once there, Kia must solve the mystery of the diamond, risking her life and that of the Select, uncovering a conspiracy that has its roots in the highest levels of Malemese society.
Kia believes her mother harsh, but learns that she was only trying to protect the ones she loved. Kia believes her father is a thief, but learns that it was his compassion that placed the diamond in his custody. Kia believes the Select and her order, the O.U.B. are attempting to manipulate her, but discovers that they are only trying to make it possible for Kia to right old wrongs. Kia believes the Malemese people to be cold and barbaric, but experiences their capacity to love first hand and fights to free them from a fearful legacy.
McLachlan has created a simple, but compelling universe that doesn’t strain credibility and serves as the perfect backdrop for Kia’s journey. She even weaves in a sweet love interest that proves to have his own secrets. Woven into the overall plot are mystery and thriller elements that will keep readers turning pages.
McLachlan’s novel is reminiscent of Madeline L’engle and Ursula K. LeGuin’s young adult fiction.
My highest recommendation.
December 2, 2014
Kia's adventure begins with the discovery of a rare diamond discovered in her father's possession on his deathbed. Her language skills take her to a far-flung world in the company of Agatha, a wise and spiritual woman who needs Kia's translations and her practical mindset. The secret of the diamond, however, risks the mission and their lives.
More thoughts on my blog: The Occasional Diamond Thief
More thoughts on my blog: The Occasional Diamond Thief
September 14, 2015
When I first started reading this book, I was figuring that I wasn't going to like it much. Not because of the description, but because it's written in first person present tense. I tend to avoid first person books in general because I have a hard time connecting to those characters. Not many writers can pull it off and have a character who doesn't come off as perfect or self-centered or just plain annoying, and adding present tense into the mix? It has the potential to be a disaster.
Well, I was wrong. Incredibly wrong. McLachlan pulls off this writing style with grace and skill and I immediately found myself entranced by the story. Kia is a well-rounded and developed character. Yes, she has moments where she acts a little "know it all", but it was entirely accurate for the character: she's sixteen. Kia acts like a teenager, but more than that, she acts like a real person. Another thing I notice in first person books is that the non-main characters tend to not get a lot of development. McLachlan avoided this, too! This story had a few secondary and tertiary type characters who aren't around long enough to get the depth of the main character, but they didn't feel flat. The other main character, Agatha, was just as developed as the POV character. I loved how she didn't fit quite in with the other Selects (priest/esses, essentially) and that even though her personality clashed with Kia's, they were able to work together in a way that was believable and interesting.
I was so afraid when the author introduced not one, but two fairly jerk-ish boy characters that this book was going to turn into one of *those* YA books where the female protagonist inevitably falls for the obnoxious male character who never seems to have any redeeming qualities. Well, I wasn't disappointed there, either! Two thumbs up for McLachlan and how she approached the character in the "love interest" role.
And the world building! I love a book with lots of world building and this one had that! Not one but three cultures were mentioned with a fair amount of depth and I found myself itching to know more about the planets and cultures. The information about the cultures was never dropped in obtrusively and blended well into the narrative. I loved that the plot went beyond the personal experiences of the main character to involve the politics of the different planets. I'm not even a huge fan of sci-fi (I prefer fantasy) and I loved this. Then again, it wasn't an excessive amount of science fiction. What was there peppered the culture Kia comes from with detail to pull you into the world. Later in the book she was on a planet with very little technology, so it read more like something modern than futuristic. Even the beginning of the book, though, is the kind of sci-fi I like: enough to give you some bearing as to the character's surroundings and the technology, but not so heavy that you're bogged down with techno-babble. Writing out this review, I'm realizing that McLachlan truly does have a good balance of everything in this book.
As an aside, I got a kick out of the bit at the end written by Kia. "Occasional" indeed.
This was a book I didn't want to put down. It had everything I could want in a book: developed characters, thought-out world building, enough action to keep things interesting without hurting the dialogue and character development... Five stars and two thumbs up from me, along with a "would recommend" and "will read the rest of the series". (Please tell me there will be more books!)
Well, I was wrong. Incredibly wrong. McLachlan pulls off this writing style with grace and skill and I immediately found myself entranced by the story. Kia is a well-rounded and developed character. Yes, she has moments where she acts a little "know it all", but it was entirely accurate for the character: she's sixteen. Kia acts like a teenager, but more than that, she acts like a real person. Another thing I notice in first person books is that the non-main characters tend to not get a lot of development. McLachlan avoided this, too! This story had a few secondary and tertiary type characters who aren't around long enough to get the depth of the main character, but they didn't feel flat. The other main character, Agatha, was just as developed as the POV character. I loved how she didn't fit quite in with the other Selects (priest/esses, essentially) and that even though her personality clashed with Kia's, they were able to work together in a way that was believable and interesting.
I was so afraid when the author introduced not one, but two fairly jerk-ish boy characters that this book was going to turn into one of *those* YA books where the female protagonist inevitably falls for the obnoxious male character who never seems to have any redeeming qualities. Well, I wasn't disappointed there, either! Two thumbs up for McLachlan and how she approached the character in the "love interest" role.
And the world building! I love a book with lots of world building and this one had that! Not one but three cultures were mentioned with a fair amount of depth and I found myself itching to know more about the planets and cultures. The information about the cultures was never dropped in obtrusively and blended well into the narrative. I loved that the plot went beyond the personal experiences of the main character to involve the politics of the different planets. I'm not even a huge fan of sci-fi (I prefer fantasy) and I loved this. Then again, it wasn't an excessive amount of science fiction. What was there peppered the culture Kia comes from with detail to pull you into the world. Later in the book she was on a planet with very little technology, so it read more like something modern than futuristic. Even the beginning of the book, though, is the kind of sci-fi I like: enough to give you some bearing as to the character's surroundings and the technology, but not so heavy that you're bogged down with techno-babble. Writing out this review, I'm realizing that McLachlan truly does have a good balance of everything in this book.
As an aside, I got a kick out of the bit at the end written by Kia. "Occasional" indeed.
This was a book I didn't want to put down. It had everything I could want in a book: developed characters, thought-out world building, enough action to keep things interesting without hurting the dialogue and character development... Five stars and two thumbs up from me, along with a "would recommend" and "will read the rest of the series". (Please tell me there will be more books!)
December 2, 2014
At age 16, Akhié Ugiagbe, who prefers to be called Kia, is already a master of languages.
She’s been sent to the planet Malem to act as translator for Select Agatha, a kind of lie-detecting priest in a truth-seeking religious order known as the Order of Universal Benevolence.
The Order recommends Kia for the mission when she’s caught stealing a diamond bracelet. She’s in no position to refuse.
But Kia has other secrets. Her father, delirious in death from a recurring virus that he’d caught in Malem in the days when it had decimated the planet, had led her to a secret of his own—a Malemese diamond, unlawful possession of which meant death in Malem. She carries it with her to Malem and sews it into her hem. And her need to sell a ring abandoned in a washroom for translation school tuition had led her to an unscrupulous dealer who’d schooled her instead in breaking and entering. She carries the illegal tools of that trade with her to Malem, too.
Malem is backwards, harsh, and afraid. There are few creature comforts. Amputations and beheadings are frequent and public. And fear of the virus—even though it’s no longer the threat that it was in Kia’s father’s day—still informs public policy and daily life on the planet, a planet that Kia and Select Agatha help to save, facing disease and death, treachery and violence, imprisonment and improbable escape with extraordinary bravery.
But that’s all I’m going to tell you.
Science fiction, young adult fiction—The Occasional Diamond Thief fits these categories. But it also transcends them—it’s an adventure, a fairy tale, a might-have-been love story, a mystery, a parable.
J. A. McLachlan is a remarkable creator of worlds, a remarkable creator of character, a master of suspense. In short, a remarkable storyteller.
You don’t have to be a young adult to love this book.
Sheryl Loeffler
Writer, A Land in the Storytelling Sea
She’s been sent to the planet Malem to act as translator for Select Agatha, a kind of lie-detecting priest in a truth-seeking religious order known as the Order of Universal Benevolence.
The Order recommends Kia for the mission when she’s caught stealing a diamond bracelet. She’s in no position to refuse.
But Kia has other secrets. Her father, delirious in death from a recurring virus that he’d caught in Malem in the days when it had decimated the planet, had led her to a secret of his own—a Malemese diamond, unlawful possession of which meant death in Malem. She carries it with her to Malem and sews it into her hem. And her need to sell a ring abandoned in a washroom for translation school tuition had led her to an unscrupulous dealer who’d schooled her instead in breaking and entering. She carries the illegal tools of that trade with her to Malem, too.
Malem is backwards, harsh, and afraid. There are few creature comforts. Amputations and beheadings are frequent and public. And fear of the virus—even though it’s no longer the threat that it was in Kia’s father’s day—still informs public policy and daily life on the planet, a planet that Kia and Select Agatha help to save, facing disease and death, treachery and violence, imprisonment and improbable escape with extraordinary bravery.
But that’s all I’m going to tell you.
Science fiction, young adult fiction—The Occasional Diamond Thief fits these categories. But it also transcends them—it’s an adventure, a fairy tale, a might-have-been love story, a mystery, a parable.
J. A. McLachlan is a remarkable creator of worlds, a remarkable creator of character, a master of suspense. In short, a remarkable storyteller.
You don’t have to be a young adult to love this book.
Sheryl Loeffler
Writer, A Land in the Storytelling Sea
December 9, 2015
J. A. McLachlan explores the power of suppression and recovery on an interplanetary scale, a community scale, and on a personal scale for Kia and the people around her. Kia’s linguistic gift is related to the issues of communication that shape the interactions between people in McLachlan’s world, the separations and miscommunications that have meant that planets and people have viewed each other with suspicion and distrust. In Kia’s desire to understand language and its cultural connections, she becomes a figure who collapses distances and allows people to communicate.
Unlike many intergalactic, interplanetary tales, McLachlan’s story is a highly personal one, shaped fundamentally by character and the character’s exploration of selfhood and interaction on a microcosmic level which has implications for the macrocosmic level. Sometimes even small interactions between people are enough to shape and change universe-spanning political issues.
Communication means that secrets lose their powers, things lost are returned, and healing happens through the barred gateways opened by the desire to talk and share.
To read a longer version of this review, visit my website at http://speculatingcanada.ca/2015/06/1...
Unlike many intergalactic, interplanetary tales, McLachlan’s story is a highly personal one, shaped fundamentally by character and the character’s exploration of selfhood and interaction on a microcosmic level which has implications for the macrocosmic level. Sometimes even small interactions between people are enough to shape and change universe-spanning political issues.
Communication means that secrets lose their powers, things lost are returned, and healing happens through the barred gateways opened by the desire to talk and share.
To read a longer version of this review, visit my website at http://speculatingcanada.ca/2015/06/1...
October 22, 2014
The occasional diamond thief by McLachlan gives the reader a glimpse into a future world where one can reach other planets. The main protagonist, Kia, is given a hidden diamond by her father on his deathbed. She hides it from her estranged family but steals other jewellery to pay for her translator fees. Her character blows hot and cold about this. One day she is caught by a Select, Agatha, and not long after an Adept accuses both of them and banishes them to Malem. Kia can speak the language because her father used to trade there and she has to teach Agatha. Malem is a dark, dank planet and Kia wants to return to her warm home planet. There's also a plague which has killed off many, including the Queen's child, and is threatening another child. Twice Kia is thrown in prison and Agatha helps her to escape once. Through it all Kia has her father's diamond secreted in the hem of a cloak. Will she find the owner of this diamond and will she make her way home?
December 2, 2014
What a wonderful book! There are two strong female characters in this novel, which I appreciated. I really enjoyed the friendship between Kia and Agatha. The gem of this story is the relationship between the girls.
McLachlan also explores and brings to life new worlds and cultures. She adds in very unique descriptions about the different planets. Additionally, there's a strong tug of mystery in the novel. What really happened with Kia's father? A fast-paced plot kept me reading page after page.
McLachlan also explores and brings to life new worlds and cultures. She adds in very unique descriptions about the different planets. Additionally, there's a strong tug of mystery in the novel. What really happened with Kia's father? A fast-paced plot kept me reading page after page.
December 7, 2014
A fun, quick read. The story has a dash of space travel, a funny/serious sidekick, and a reluctant thief trying to find her way. Kia is such a great character; a perfect balance of kid and adult. Agatha is by far my favorite character in the book even if she is the sidekick. Her influence on Kia is wonderful and I look forward to more adventures from these two!
Read
December 2, 2014Well done – I couldn’t put it down, the story kept moving forward and was intriguing.
I definitely think both adults and young adults will enjoy the story.
I like the humour.
I like the subtle lessons on religion.
I definitely think both adults and young adults will enjoy the story.
I like the humour.
I like the subtle lessons on religion.
December 15, 2014
Not a theif
I really enjoyed reading occasional diamond thief. The story was different than most sci-fi stories of war. It had a purpose and goal to achieve that made it move. A really good book and characters.
I really enjoyed reading occasional diamond thief. The story was different than most sci-fi stories of war. It had a purpose and goal to achieve that made it move. A really good book and characters.
September 2, 2016
A rollicking adventure that kept me guessing until the very end.
December 4, 2014
Amazing characters and intricate storyline made this a YA novel a page-turner!
February 6, 2017
This was one of those books that, once I started it, I found it difficult to put down. The main character is intriguing as she finds her path between right and wrong, driven by the events of her past, her relationship with her family, and the secret behind it all. Along with that, though, it's a great science fiction adventure tale told across fully believable worlds and civilizations. A great read for YA or adult lovers of character-driven science fiction.
March 29, 2019
I started out really enjoying this. I was very engaged and interested in the world that McLachlan created. Towards the end, it just sort of fizzles out. I think I’m still interested enough in the characters and the world that I would read book two.
September 24, 2018
The book was very interesting. Especially the parts when Kia is held captive, and is in jail. I think if you’re into science fiction and fantasy, you would really like this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 16, 2018
Science Fiction is not usually "my thing." But when a friend passes off 3 such books and says something like, "I know you're going to really like these", well what can you do? Well, I was immediately hooked. It was fast paced, the characters were believable, making me want to keep rooting for Kia, a 16 or 17 year old girl, whisked off to another planet, along with a nun sort of character, from The Order of Benevolence, to discover and return a secret.
February 5, 2016
Brief Synopsis: “16-year-old Kia must learn the secret behind the magnificent diamond her father entrusted her with on his deathbed - without letting anyone know she has it.”
J.A. McLachlan has created a highly addictive, inspiring, and adventurous Young Adult/ Science fiction story with The Occasional Diamond Thief. The main character, Kia, is smart, stubborn, analytical; free willed, strong and 100% an independently thinking individual whom still exhibits truly the most moving moments of venerability as the result of an a strained relationship with her family, excluding her brother, Etin.
Despite all of this, the young, inquisitive minded teen still manages to make friends and gain a few trusted allies across the universe on a semi-technology backwards/basic planet called Malem, whose people openly reject and dis-trust foreigners. While unknowingly developing a truly heart-warming bond with a (unique) Select–Agatha—who fills the maternal absentness in Kia’s life she was not aware she needed.
Another thing I appreciated about this book was the fact that it not only revolves around a strong female protagonist of color, but that it equally balances differences in Culture/Languages, Social Standards and Religion with Morality, Identity, and Humanity without losing it’s comedic, adventurous and mystery elements. There are just so many quotable/memorable moments from this book that you can relive over and over again.
It is one of best YA books I have read in a really long time and I wish I could have read a book like this when I was younger. As I followed Kia through this book and read her learn not only more about her a strained father’s past but learn to have more confidence in herself and trust in others, I found that I too was learning with her.
Besides the fact that I am sad that the book ended at all, I give this book 4.5 stars because we were not able to see any resolution between Kia and her family when she finally left Malem. (Unless that’ll be in the next book? *crosses fingers*)
“But at some fundamental human level where the fear of not being understood touches us all, Central Ang ties the human universe together.”—Excerpt From: J. A. McLachlan. “The Occasional Diamond Thief.” iBooks.
As a person who finds comfort in my studies and in moments of solitude when being around my family or friends feels like I am an outsider or a stranger, I recommend this book to anyone who has ever felt like they didn’t belong.
If it were not for sleep, eating and work I do not think I would have taken breaks reading this book. It is a true page-turner. I was fortunate enough to win this as a free e-book from Librarything.com, but I’ve purchased a hard copy of this book also to have on my bookshelf forever! Ms. McLachlan, if you see this please, please bring Kia back for another adventure :-)
I Truly LOVED this book and I highly recommend it to everyone <3.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 19, 2015
This an interesting SciFi YA adventure, and I loved that it features a MC of color. The worldbuilding is cool, too. Kia is a native of the dry arid planet Saffara. He father owns a tradeship, and has mastered many languages in his role as captain, but he’s been ill since he returned form a far-flung rescue mission to Melam, twelve years ago. In his fever dreams he speaks Melamese, and Kia learns this language in order to help her father–only it has the opposite effect: hearing the language makes him distraught and on his death bed he confesses the location of a rare treasure–a Melamese diamond he is forbidden to possess. On Melam the diamonds are a personal treasure, passed only to an infant from his/her parents. An Off-worlder caught with one would be executed.
Kia believes her father stole this diamond, and she begins to “steal” other jewelry to pawn for money to go to language school. She is determined to get the heck away from her emotionally-distant mother, but ends up stealing more in order to provide for her mom when a medical emergency arises–which puts Kia smack into the grasp of the religious Order of Universal Benevolence. Agatha, a Select of the OUB, is a confidante and peacemaker of this intergalactic organization, one charged with brokering and assisting peace. She is also trained to seek the truth in all situations.
Agatha encounters Kia in the midst of a theft, and encourages her…to make more benevolent choices. Still, it is Kia who is chosen to accompany Agatha to Melam, site of her father’s illness and the planet where she will undoubtedly be killed if they discover her father’s Melamese diamond. Oh, and the Melamese are supremely distrustful of Off-worlders ever since factions from a neighboring planet deliberately unleashed a virus that decimated their population–the same virus that afflicted Kia’s father.
Melam is a cold, wet, gray world–nothing like sunny Saffara–and Kia never plans to stay with Agatha when they arrive. I really enjoyed the banter between Agatha and Kia. Agatha’s a bumbling language learner, and Kia’s desperate not to be killed by her faulty phrasing. Observing the Friday afternoon Justice on their second day on Melam–including a mutilation for theft and a beheading for treason–Kia is even MORE freaked out. But the queen has taken notice of her, and the High Priest has taken notice of the the queen’s notice. Yep. We got a classic power struggle on Melam.
While Agatha seeks to guide the Melamese past their grief, Kia is the girl in the middle–and often in the middle of a cozy cell. She does manage to make some important friends who help her get free, and Kia directs the bulk of the action, which was great. She’s not the most likable character, but she is honest…for a thief. Her skills as a safecraker/lock picker come in handy quite often especially while saving sick children, and the daring Agatha.
The pace of the book was a bit slow, at first, but really picked up steam as the ship landed on Melam and both Agatha and Kia were embroiled in the political stew. There are elements of a romance, but no love story. Expect double-crossing priests, courageous Melamese, a bitter queen, and a stalwart Select whose skill at interplanetary relations far outshines her fluency in Melamese. Kia was great, and I did enjoy her. She is comfortable in her outsider role, yet broke through and made lasting connections to people who believe she matters. The story ends, but it’s clear the door is open to another Kia-Agatha buddy tale.
Kia believes her father stole this diamond, and she begins to “steal” other jewelry to pawn for money to go to language school. She is determined to get the heck away from her emotionally-distant mother, but ends up stealing more in order to provide for her mom when a medical emergency arises–which puts Kia smack into the grasp of the religious Order of Universal Benevolence. Agatha, a Select of the OUB, is a confidante and peacemaker of this intergalactic organization, one charged with brokering and assisting peace. She is also trained to seek the truth in all situations.
Agatha encounters Kia in the midst of a theft, and encourages her…to make more benevolent choices. Still, it is Kia who is chosen to accompany Agatha to Melam, site of her father’s illness and the planet where she will undoubtedly be killed if they discover her father’s Melamese diamond. Oh, and the Melamese are supremely distrustful of Off-worlders ever since factions from a neighboring planet deliberately unleashed a virus that decimated their population–the same virus that afflicted Kia’s father.
Melam is a cold, wet, gray world–nothing like sunny Saffara–and Kia never plans to stay with Agatha when they arrive. I really enjoyed the banter between Agatha and Kia. Agatha’s a bumbling language learner, and Kia’s desperate not to be killed by her faulty phrasing. Observing the Friday afternoon Justice on their second day on Melam–including a mutilation for theft and a beheading for treason–Kia is even MORE freaked out. But the queen has taken notice of her, and the High Priest has taken notice of the the queen’s notice. Yep. We got a classic power struggle on Melam.
While Agatha seeks to guide the Melamese past their grief, Kia is the girl in the middle–and often in the middle of a cozy cell. She does manage to make some important friends who help her get free, and Kia directs the bulk of the action, which was great. She’s not the most likable character, but she is honest…for a thief. Her skills as a safecraker/lock picker come in handy quite often especially while saving sick children, and the daring Agatha.
The pace of the book was a bit slow, at first, but really picked up steam as the ship landed on Melam and both Agatha and Kia were embroiled in the political stew. There are elements of a romance, but no love story. Expect double-crossing priests, courageous Melamese, a bitter queen, and a stalwart Select whose skill at interplanetary relations far outshines her fluency in Melamese. Kia was great, and I did enjoy her. She is comfortable in her outsider role, yet broke through and made lasting connections to people who believe she matters. The story ends, but it’s clear the door is open to another Kia-Agatha buddy tale.
May 28, 2015
The (Occasional) Diamond Thief was a book that I couldn’t wait to get my hands on. I actually applied to be a reviewer twice because I was worried that somehow my 1st request hadn’t gone through! But, because I applied for it so long ago, I had actually forgotten what it was about. When I cracked it open to find it was a sci-fi, I was pleasantly surprised – and it just got better from there.
First off, I just want to warn everyone that this review will severely test my spelling abilities because THIEF is one of the words I always misspell. Anyways…
The (Occasional) Diamond Thief was fast paced from the very first chapter. The writing style is very direct and to the point. The chapters are well thought out; there is no rambling for the sake of page count. The story was straight forward, and while I feel like it could have gone on longer, there were no loose ends to mention.
Kia is a fantastic protagonist. She steals a diamond to get into translator college and it just snowballs from there. She is, however, a thief with a conscious and only steals in order to help her family. Eventually, she does get caught and that’s were the real story begins. Kia’s first-person narration is great; she’s witty, sarcastic, driven and ultimately, a believable character. She’s a person that a reader can really get behind and support, she’s a rational thinker and -gasp- not whiny. I love to see a female lead with a good head on her shoulders, and having good taste in bling never hurts.
This book openly speaks of race and differences between culture. Kia is described as black-skinned and in the narration, race is often mentioned. My favorite quote is when she refers to herself and Agatha as “piano keys in a coffee bar” when describing how different they are from the natives of Malem. I love to see women of colour cast as main characters in YA books. It seriously doesn’t happen enough! Kudos for McLachlan for writing a non-white main character.
The only thing that I found lacking in this story was the romance. At first, it seems like there is going to be a spark between Kia and Jumal, but it never gets any further than a secret crush. Maybe she’s destined for someone else, but I honestly can’t see Kia settling down any time soon anyways. That girl has too much work to do.
The (Occasional) Diamond Thief was an enjoyable, quick read. Unfortunately, the ending seemed very abrupt and left me desperately wanting a sequel. I really hope that McLachlan continues writing more book set in this world. No sign of anything up-and-coming on her Goodreads, but a girl can hope!
*disclaimer* – I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.
REVIEW POSTED ON SAMANTHA WRITES
First off, I just want to warn everyone that this review will severely test my spelling abilities because THIEF is one of the words I always misspell. Anyways…
The (Occasional) Diamond Thief was fast paced from the very first chapter. The writing style is very direct and to the point. The chapters are well thought out; there is no rambling for the sake of page count. The story was straight forward, and while I feel like it could have gone on longer, there were no loose ends to mention.
Kia is a fantastic protagonist. She steals a diamond to get into translator college and it just snowballs from there. She is, however, a thief with a conscious and only steals in order to help her family. Eventually, she does get caught and that’s were the real story begins. Kia’s first-person narration is great; she’s witty, sarcastic, driven and ultimately, a believable character. She’s a person that a reader can really get behind and support, she’s a rational thinker and -gasp- not whiny. I love to see a female lead with a good head on her shoulders, and having good taste in bling never hurts.
This book openly speaks of race and differences between culture. Kia is described as black-skinned and in the narration, race is often mentioned. My favorite quote is when she refers to herself and Agatha as “piano keys in a coffee bar” when describing how different they are from the natives of Malem. I love to see women of colour cast as main characters in YA books. It seriously doesn’t happen enough! Kudos for McLachlan for writing a non-white main character.
The only thing that I found lacking in this story was the romance. At first, it seems like there is going to be a spark between Kia and Jumal, but it never gets any further than a secret crush. Maybe she’s destined for someone else, but I honestly can’t see Kia settling down any time soon anyways. That girl has too much work to do.
The (Occasional) Diamond Thief was an enjoyable, quick read. Unfortunately, the ending seemed very abrupt and left me desperately wanting a sequel. I really hope that McLachlan continues writing more book set in this world. No sign of anything up-and-coming on her Goodreads, but a girl can hope!
*disclaimer* – I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.
REVIEW POSTED ON SAMANTHA WRITES
January 2, 2016
3.5
Kia is a fantastic character. She's spunky. She's aloof. She's highly intelligent. To top it all off she's brave. Add in the fact that she's black and I was thrilled to see a character that actually felt somewhat relatable to me.
One of the main driving factors of this story was a disease that sweapt over the planet of Malem. It was a disease that her father caught on his soul trip to the planet and eventually killed him years later. Through a confluence of events Kia ends up being guilted into going to Malem with a strange member of the intergalactic religious group called the OUB. Once on Malem, Kia still needs to contend with the disease and the people of Malem as they make her stay particularly difficult.
That said, there was something that kept me at a distance. It felt like there were parts of the story that were kept running along and their role was only decided later on. I looking at you malemese diamond. It was this element of the story that was always there looming in the background. For much of it there was no real progress only a source of anxiety and worry. it wasn't until the end that we really saw things just suddenly fall into place. Honestly. I reread the section and I had to keep wondering how Kia came to the conclusion. Looking back there were some sly hints thrown throughout, but it just felt sudden and unsatisfying.
At the end of the day I really enjoyed the book, but I felt like it could have been a little longer to give us more time for plot development so events didn't feel quite as contrived. The pacing at the beginning of the novel was much better, but grew unnecessarily rushed mid way.
The characters were the best part of the novel as they really felt fleshed out. The time spent with characters in the smaller moments were the highlights. Whether it was Kia, Agatha, Jumal, or Prad Gaelig they felt like people that you believed as real people.
Kia is a fantastic character. She's spunky. She's aloof. She's highly intelligent. To top it all off she's brave. Add in the fact that she's black and I was thrilled to see a character that actually felt somewhat relatable to me.
One of the main driving factors of this story was a disease that sweapt over the planet of Malem. It was a disease that her father caught on his soul trip to the planet and eventually killed him years later. Through a confluence of events Kia ends up being guilted into going to Malem with a strange member of the intergalactic religious group called the OUB. Once on Malem, Kia still needs to contend with the disease and the people of Malem as they make her stay particularly difficult.
That said, there was something that kept me at a distance. It felt like there were parts of the story that were kept running along and their role was only decided later on. I looking at you malemese diamond. It was this element of the story that was always there looming in the background. For much of it there was no real progress only a source of anxiety and worry. it wasn't until the end that we really saw things just suddenly fall into place. Honestly. I reread the section and I had to keep wondering how Kia came to the conclusion. Looking back there were some sly hints thrown throughout, but it just felt sudden and unsatisfying.
At the end of the day I really enjoyed the book, but I felt like it could have been a little longer to give us more time for plot development so events didn't feel quite as contrived. The pacing at the beginning of the novel was much better, but grew unnecessarily rushed mid way.
The characters were the best part of the novel as they really felt fleshed out. The time spent with characters in the smaller moments were the highlights. Whether it was Kia, Agatha, Jumal, or Prad Gaelig they felt like people that you believed as real people.
August 9, 2015
On his deathbed, Kia's father, an interstellar space trader, entrusts to her a diamond from the planet Malem. The problem is that it is very illegal for any off-worlder to possess a Malemese diamond; the penalty is death. In order to get away from an unpleasant home life, Kia engages in the occasional theft to get money to pay for translator school.
Kia is caught by Agatha, part of the Order of Universal Benevolence; sort of like the religious police. Kia is sent to Malem, as Agatha's translator. Malem is a cold, wet planet, in great contrast to Kia's dry, arid home world. Malem recently got over a plague which may, or may not, have been started by Malem's planetary neighbor. Among the thousands of casualties was the Queen's young daughter. She blames Kia's father for not reaching the planet quickly enough with the necessary medicine.
Kia learns that she cannot, for instance, go into a local tavern and say that she found the diamond lying on the ground. Diamonds are passed down from one generation to another, with the recipient keeping it for their entire life. She has to find its rightful owner. A young child contracts the plague. The requirement is that she is quarantined, alone for seven days, in the Plague House, a stone house in the middle of a swamp. At the end of that time, she either walks out of the House cured, or someone goes in to get her dead body. Agatha volunteers to enter the Plague House to take care of the child, even though it means almost certain death. While she is in there, Kia begins to get the idea that the High Priest is using the Plague House, and what it represents, to mess with the facts, and keep the people on edge. It involves Agatha not leaving the Plague House alive. Does Kia find the diamond's rightful owner? Does Agatha survive the Plague House?
This one is really good. It's easy to read, and very well written. Having a main character of color certainly helps. This is recommended for teens, and adults.
Kia is caught by Agatha, part of the Order of Universal Benevolence; sort of like the religious police. Kia is sent to Malem, as Agatha's translator. Malem is a cold, wet planet, in great contrast to Kia's dry, arid home world. Malem recently got over a plague which may, or may not, have been started by Malem's planetary neighbor. Among the thousands of casualties was the Queen's young daughter. She blames Kia's father for not reaching the planet quickly enough with the necessary medicine.
Kia learns that she cannot, for instance, go into a local tavern and say that she found the diamond lying on the ground. Diamonds are passed down from one generation to another, with the recipient keeping it for their entire life. She has to find its rightful owner. A young child contracts the plague. The requirement is that she is quarantined, alone for seven days, in the Plague House, a stone house in the middle of a swamp. At the end of that time, she either walks out of the House cured, or someone goes in to get her dead body. Agatha volunteers to enter the Plague House to take care of the child, even though it means almost certain death. While she is in there, Kia begins to get the idea that the High Priest is using the Plague House, and what it represents, to mess with the facts, and keep the people on edge. It involves Agatha not leaving the Plague House alive. Does Kia find the diamond's rightful owner? Does Agatha survive the Plague House?
This one is really good. It's easy to read, and very well written. Having a main character of color certainly helps. This is recommended for teens, and adults.
July 15, 2015
The book began slowly for me and I found he first pages a bit weird. But I got sucked into his sci fi adventure and finally really liked it. I still have not understood everything, I believe, bu I did get most of it.
Kia lives with her sister and her parents, with a very sick father. Just before her father dies, he tells her and her alone, about a precious stone hidden in a secret compartment of his desk. Kia takes the diamond, not knowing what to do with it.
Kia is very good at languages and decides to go to college right now, though she is only 15. To get the money for that, she will steal a piece of jewelry. Then she learns her mother needs a heart transplant and she steals another precious stone. But this time, when he goes back to he fence she used the first time, she is caught. An adept sees her ad she will be ... judged? sentenced? All words are wrong, because that is not the way things work on her world. That is about the moment when the book gets interesting, after the first 30 pages of million of sci fi sounding alike.
Kia will go to a faraway planet with select Agatha. Officially, she is Agatha's language teacher, because she speaks Malemese and very few people can. In reality, she is sent there to discover her truth, her faith, and to help the whole world
You will discover Malem to have some unreliable people at very high places and Kia and Agatha will be in danger. I still have not understood the difference between an adept and a select. An adept is younger, maybe they all turn into selects when they mature. Selects are priests, or the closest thing to it. They want to find and apply God's will.
This book is totally worth reading, even if I still have many questions in my mind about it. It is a complicated parable about morals and justice. I personally disagree on many points with the author, but who am I to criticize her world?
Kia lives with her sister and her parents, with a very sick father. Just before her father dies, he tells her and her alone, about a precious stone hidden in a secret compartment of his desk. Kia takes the diamond, not knowing what to do with it.
Kia is very good at languages and decides to go to college right now, though she is only 15. To get the money for that, she will steal a piece of jewelry. Then she learns her mother needs a heart transplant and she steals another precious stone. But this time, when he goes back to he fence she used the first time, she is caught. An adept sees her ad she will be ... judged? sentenced? All words are wrong, because that is not the way things work on her world. That is about the moment when the book gets interesting, after the first 30 pages of million of sci fi sounding alike.
Kia will go to a faraway planet with select Agatha. Officially, she is Agatha's language teacher, because she speaks Malemese and very few people can. In reality, she is sent there to discover her truth, her faith, and to help the whole world
You will discover Malem to have some unreliable people at very high places and Kia and Agatha will be in danger. I still have not understood the difference between an adept and a select. An adept is younger, maybe they all turn into selects when they mature. Selects are priests, or the closest thing to it. They want to find and apply God's will.
This book is totally worth reading, even if I still have many questions in my mind about it. It is a complicated parable about morals and justice. I personally disagree on many points with the author, but who am I to criticize her world?
August 24, 2015
Kia is a 16 year old girl with a troubled family life and a penchant for languages. When her father dies, leaving her with a mother who seems to despise her and a sister who won’t give her the time of day, she leaves home and starts school to become a translator. After being caught stealing to finance her new life, she is sent to Malem to act as a translator for a Select (a religious title, something akin to a nun or priest) named Agatha. This is the same world where her father contracted the illness that eventually killed him. It’s also the world where her father acquired the gem he gave her right before he died – a Malem diamond that it is illegal for anyone who is not Malemese to posses.
I really enjoyed this story. Kia didn’t seem to be able to get a break at all, and even thought being sent to Malem kept her out of prison, it still seemed like punishment for her. Once she and Agatha arrived on Malem, the story kept moving at a pace that kept me reading, wanting to know what was going to happen next. Both Kia and Agatha were well developed, likable characters who learned and grew throughout the story. Sometimes I wanted to shout at Kia for her behavior, but considering her age it was perfectly appropriate.
There was no cliffhanger ending, and it may turn out to be a standalone novel, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see more adventures for Kia in the future.
Disclaimer – I received a free digital copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this story. Kia didn’t seem to be able to get a break at all, and even thought being sent to Malem kept her out of prison, it still seemed like punishment for her. Once she and Agatha arrived on Malem, the story kept moving at a pace that kept me reading, wanting to know what was going to happen next. Both Kia and Agatha were well developed, likable characters who learned and grew throughout the story. Sometimes I wanted to shout at Kia for her behavior, but considering her age it was perfectly appropriate.
There was no cliffhanger ending, and it may turn out to be a standalone novel, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see more adventures for Kia in the future.
Disclaimer – I received a free digital copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
April 2, 2015
This was an engaging YA SF novel. It starts out on a hot and dry world where the people are dark-skinned. The heroine is a loner who feels like she is unloved in her family. When her father dies, she decides to follow the skill with languages that she inherited from him and enrolls in a translator academy. However, that freedom doesn't come cheaply and she ends up in some questionable situations. They eventually land her in an odd circumstance in which she is pressured to travel to another world as a translator. While there she finds herself caught up in a decades long history full of pain, death, and intrigue. Along the way she has to face up to fears, figure out how to do the right thing, and take risks to save those she's come to care about.
I read this book straight through in one evening, it was so engaging. While I figured out Jumal's role in things early on, I still enjoyed her interactions with him. While at times those with the Order seem to have unexplained knowledge and abilities, some of that is likely due to Kia's youth and lack of understanding. The rest would be due to the OUB's practice of keeping things to themselves.
The only reason I didn't give the book another star is that I felt the world building could have been a bit stronger and Kia's life fleshed out a bit more. I received this book free for review and am very glad I did.
I read this book straight through in one evening, it was so engaging. While I figured out Jumal's role in things early on, I still enjoyed her interactions with him. While at times those with the Order seem to have unexplained knowledge and abilities, some of that is likely due to Kia's youth and lack of understanding. The rest would be due to the OUB's practice of keeping things to themselves.
The only reason I didn't give the book another star is that I felt the world building could have been a bit stronger and Kia's life fleshed out a bit more. I received this book free for review and am very glad I did.
April 23, 2015
The Occasional Diamond Thief is a compelling story fraught with tensions between cultures and individuals, as well as mysteries too dangerous to confront. Huddled in her own secrets and fears, the occasional diamond thief herself — Kia — braves the path of the greater good in the end. Embittered by relationships at home, Kia opens her heart most effectively through her friendship with Agatha. It was satisfying to follow such a dynamic protagonist: she goes from being an independent loner pursuing self-fulfilment to someone with the compassion to support a friend’s cause and all the people in it. The sense of place is vivid in the book’s succinct descriptions — the fever hut in particular. Comic relief is well done, keeping tensions strong in sticky situations while still allowing the reader a laugh. My favourite such moments were Agatha’s failed attempts at speaking Malemese – moments you can only laugh at because it’s not you who just said something rude to a queen! On that note, I very much enjoyed the message for readers at the end, too.
August 7, 2015
Note: I received a free copy of this book from LibraryThing in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed the book. J.A. McLachlan is a good writer and she has a way of holding the reader's interest. Moreover, it is refreshing to see a black protagonist, as well as whole worlds populated by dark-skinned people, without any inherent racism. I'd like to believe we're capable of that, but I'm not so optimistic.
There isn't much of a sense of when this book takes place, how and when Earth started expanding, and what led to all these different languages and what makes them distinct. However, because she has left this open, it leads me to believe that there could possibly be another book, an impression strengthened by the character's note at the back.
It's a quick read, which is good for those who want sci-fi without being bogged down by needless details. I'd recommend it, even if it's not the best author I've encountered in this genre. McLachlan has a gift and I'm curious about other works of hers.
I enjoyed the book. J.A. McLachlan is a good writer and she has a way of holding the reader's interest. Moreover, it is refreshing to see a black protagonist, as well as whole worlds populated by dark-skinned people, without any inherent racism. I'd like to believe we're capable of that, but I'm not so optimistic.
There isn't much of a sense of when this book takes place, how and when Earth started expanding, and what led to all these different languages and what makes them distinct. However, because she has left this open, it leads me to believe that there could possibly be another book, an impression strengthened by the character's note at the back.
It's a quick read, which is good for those who want sci-fi without being bogged down by needless details. I'd recommend it, even if it's not the best author I've encountered in this genre. McLachlan has a gift and I'm curious about other works of hers.
November 8, 2015
In an Oyster Shell – With it’s complex plot, other world (space) setting, and overall well-crafted story makes for a great read and is well worth your time. I highly recommend it.
The Pearls –
Initially, I picked this book because I liked the description and I loved the cover. Once I started reading it I was not disappointed., The plot was intriguing from beginning to end. The story opens up with some complex dynamic going on in a family home. You don’t know all of what is going on, but you can tell by what the character says that there is a lot of tension in that home. The conflict of the story starts right away with her sick father. His illness is a mystery and was contracted when he was off on one of his trading expeditions. His death opens up a wide door of mystery and adventure for our main character Kia.
Full Review: Writing Pearls
The Pearls –
Initially, I picked this book because I liked the description and I loved the cover. Once I started reading it I was not disappointed., The plot was intriguing from beginning to end. The story opens up with some complex dynamic going on in a family home. You don’t know all of what is going on, but you can tell by what the character says that there is a lot of tension in that home. The conflict of the story starts right away with her sick father. His illness is a mystery and was contracted when he was off on one of his trading expeditions. His death opens up a wide door of mystery and adventure for our main character Kia.
Full Review: Writing Pearls
August 20, 2015
The author's creativity, the way she has come up with a futuristic universe where many more planets are inhabited (and the way each is distinct from each other and people have adapted to those), is commendable.
Though it took me a while to get hooked (it probably took me sometime to get used to the different lifestyle in this future universe), I started enjoying it once Kia became "Kia" and once they were in Malem, it really hooked me.
I loved the interactions between Agatha and Kia and the kinship they had for each other in spite of being so different. Agatha was a good influence on Kia. I definitely look forward to their new adventures together.
And I loved how it turned out in the end.
The "occasional" in the title and Kia's little spin on it was interesting :-)
Though it took me a while to get hooked (it probably took me sometime to get used to the different lifestyle in this future universe), I started enjoying it once Kia became "Kia" and once they were in Malem, it really hooked me.
I loved the interactions between Agatha and Kia and the kinship they had for each other in spite of being so different. Agatha was a good influence on Kia. I definitely look forward to their new adventures together.
And I loved how it turned out in the end.
The "occasional" in the title and Kia's little spin on it was interesting :-)
March 21, 2016
Received via LibraryThing's Early Reviewers program.
This book is easy to read and a really excellent way to spend a couple of days. As a bonus, one of the things I appreciated most about it was its treatment of linguists and translators, which is difficult to do unless you do your research well. The author's representation of interpreting and translating is surprisingly accurate. The setting is also well built and intriguing.
The only negative is that the characters are sometimes flat and inconsistent; however, the positives of the book make this easy to ignore. I'm not sure I would read another installment dealing with these characters, but I would read something else taking place in this world.
This book is easy to read and a really excellent way to spend a couple of days. As a bonus, one of the things I appreciated most about it was its treatment of linguists and translators, which is difficult to do unless you do your research well. The author's representation of interpreting and translating is surprisingly accurate. The setting is also well built and intriguing.
The only negative is that the characters are sometimes flat and inconsistent; however, the positives of the book make this easy to ignore. I'm not sure I would read another installment dealing with these characters, but I would read something else taking place in this world.
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